Giro di Lombardia 2012

Giro di Lombardia 2012

This year's Il Lombardia has a new date and new extra climb but the so-called 'Race of the Falling Leaves' remains the traditional final major Classic of the long European season.

Organisers RCS Sport agreed on a deal with the UCI to move the date of Il Lombardia forward to the first weekend after the world championships, allowing the Tour of Beijing to become the final race in the UCI WorldTour.

Il Lombardia seems to be the biggest beneficiary of the move considering Beijing's recent problems, with the race attracting a better field that includes new world champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing Team) and Vuelta Espana winner Alberto Contador (Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank).